Agnes Tachyon couldn't take care of herself.
Anyone who'd spent even a little time around her knew that.
And the one who understood it best was Manhattan Cafe, who lately had been forced into matching Tachyon's schedule step by step.
How it came to that—began several days earlier.
Staring at the classroom application now stamped "rejected," Manhattan Cafe fell silent for a few seconds.
Her request had been denied because "just coffee-related items" wasn't sufficient justification for occupying a whole spare room.
Given those circumstances, rejection was natural.
Then she ran into Agnes Tachyon, whose application had also failed—again.
Tachyon kept applying because she needed a cover for her basement laboratory.
But more important than the cover itself was the underground lab she was about to complete.
Thinking about this, Tachyon remained quiet for a few seconds.
Clearly, once the underground lab was finished, she'd need another way to conceal her activities.
Then she saw Manhattan Cafe—another student whose classroom request had been denied.
That was how the two of them ended up entangled.
Manhattan Cafe would've preferred to call it a cursed connection, but since Tachyon genuinely helped her find a workable solution, she chose not to comment.
After several days of moving in sync, they finally received approval for the empty classroom, and finished setting it up.
For an Umamusume, moving things wasn't physically taxing.
But much of what Tachyon needed moved was delicate equipment, which made the task complicated instead.
Because of this, they spent significant effort just organizing the space.
After caring for Tachyon for several days, Manhattan Cafe finally posed the question:
"I want to know…"
That quiet voice drew Tachyon's attention. She glanced at Manhattan Cafe, confusion evident in her eyes.
"How have you survived this long?"
The bluntness made Tachyon pause briefly before answering, "Sometimes someone takes care of me. Sometimes I eat out."
"Oh."
With no further reaction, Manhattan Cafe walked away and began fussing with her coffee equipment.
Watching her, Tachyon stroked her chin thoughtfully. "I need a guinea pig for an experiment. Cafe, want to try?"
"No."
An overly direct invitation earned an equally blunt rejection.
Hearing this, Tachyon narrowed her eyes slightly.
She wasn't the obedient type. Given that she needed to continue her research, it obviously made more sense for someone else to be the guinea pig.
Thus, the moment Cafe refused, Tachyon already began considering secretly drugging her instead.
But…
Considering Cafe had helped her secure the classroom, she'd keep it limited to prank-level concoctions at most.
With that thought, Tachyon turned away. "Then I shouldn't need to help anymore, right?"
"No."
Tachyon said nothing more. She simply left the newly arranged classroom.
Not caring what Manhattan Cafe planned afterward, Tachyon just wanted somewhere to eat.
After all, Tachyon—who had basically zero independent living skills—couldn't cook at all, despite her dormmate Agnes Digital's abilities.
And sometimes Tachyon just didn't feel like going back.
And one more thing:
As an Umamusume forced to retire during her Classic year, Tachyon's meal schedule was even less consistent than Agnes Digital's—or anyone else's, for that matter.
Meaning she often missed standard meal hours completely.
Her options weren't exactly plentiful in those moments.
So, at a completely awkward time, Tachyon left Tracen Academy and headed toward the nearby shopping street.
Having rested at Tracen Academy for a while, Tachyon had figured out which restaurants in the area were best.
So, entirely familiar with her surroundings, she walked down the street and eventually stopped outside the highest-rated restaurant in the shopping district.
She pushed the door open.
Inside, there weren't many people.
Probably because Tachyon had arrived at a slightly off time.
But fewer people suited Tachyon perfectly.
Every time she finally found a spot, she was already starving.
"Owner-san, the usual."
Tachyon sat at the counter and ordered from Yayoi Natural.
Yayoi Natural turned toward her. "Experimenting again and lost track of time?"
"This time it was setting up the lab. My last application was rejected, so…" Tachyon waved a hand dismissively. "But this one got approved, so reorganizing took a while."
As she spoke, Tachyon looked at Yayoi Natural again. "So, Owner-san, you still don't want to be my guinea pig?"
She asked mainly because, once when she'd visited, she'd seen Yayoi Natural taking medicine.
Since then…
Tachyon had gradually started pestering Yayoi Natural about it.
Faced with the question, Yayoi Natural only shook her head. "My health's improving gradually. I don't need to be your guinea pig."
As she spoke, Yayoi Natural set a small dish of appetizers in front of her. "Have this first to hold you over."
Looking at the side dish, Tachyon didn't think much about it. She took disposable chopsticks from the holder and said, "Owner-san, you really don't care?"
"Can't you just eat your side dish?"
Yayoi Natural answered offhandedly, then continued, "Oh, right. There's a new dessert. Want to try it?"
"Sure. Add that to my order."
After answering, Tachyon continued in a grumbling tone. "Still, with someone watching the lab now, it's a pain to get anything done."
"Isn't that a good thing? Keeps you from kidnapping people or doing something dangerous."
"That's what you're worried about, Owner-san?"
"No. I just think if you do that, you'll get arrested."
With that, Yayoi Natural placed a late lunch in front of Tachyon.
"Your lunch."
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T/N: IS AGNES GONNA BE IN THE RUNNING? SHE CANT RUN PHYSICALL ANYMORE BUT FOR SOMEONES HEART??? OOOH
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